MEMORIES of summer are the the theme of a warming new exhibition at Malvern Theatres.

Humph Hack, curator of exhibitions at the venue said: "At this time of year, when the days are so short, you may well be getting up before dawn and coming home after dark. Add to that, the fact that we have had weeks of dank, grey and miserable weather and, you like me, will be dreaming of that time of year, when the warmth of the sun makes the outdoors a place to enjoy."

He added: "So it is that my selection of artists for this next show at Malvern Theatres celebrates the memories of glorious holidays on a beach somewhere, in a small fishing village or in Britain’s glorious countryside."

Sandra Francis paints evocative seascapes from her studio within sight of the Solent, on the Isle of Wight.

Mr Hack said: "Artists have loved to work in coastal areas because the light is so special. Previously, Sandra had her own gallery near Maidenhead, Berkshire for eight years, where she sold her own artwork as well as several other artists’ original paintings. She developed a range of 55 London scenes which were printed and sold in London; some used in the backdrops of popular television series.

"It was after closing her gallery in 2000, that she moved to the Isle of Wight to paint acrylic seascapes of its beautiful coastline. This is Sandra’s first exhibition in Malvern."

Paul Bursnall’s viewpoint, in contrast, is often from the sea towards the land. He paints nautical scenes in a naive style using blocks of colour and heavy outlines.

Mr Hack said: "Collectors love the freshness of colour Paul uses to portray his subject matter. His works are contemporary in style, while at the same time harking back to images from our youth. In Paul’s works, like in our memories of summers past, the sun always shines."

Paul is a member of the Association of British Naive Artists and he was a finalist in the Aesthetica Art competition.

Like Sandra, he has not shown in Malvern before.

Diana Aungier-Rose also paints works which celebrate the sweetness of nature. In her case the scenes are inland, but the fascination with the play of light, and the way it describes form are key to her style.

Mr Hack said: "Although she was born in Oxford in 1956, she lived in South Africa for most of her teenage years before returning to London in 1979. Her years in South Africa had a profound effect on her work; the sumptuous colours of the landscapes, the skies and the people of the country are reflected in the opulence and vibrancy of her paintings. This is Diana’s second exhibition at Malvern Theatres."

All three artists sell their work online. To see more of their work, visit www.artgallery.co.uk.

The exhibition runs every day from Monday January 25 to Saturday March 5.